BlackBerry PlayBook charger super-charges smartphones

Stock chargers from RIM have come a long way. Previously when you bought a BlackBerry smartphone you’d get a standard wall charger, plus various international adapters. But starting in 2009 RIM changed things up a bit, adding a tiny wall charger that connects via the included USB cord. It’s no revelation, but it does add a small level of convenience. With the PlayBook charger RIM really stepped up its game. Apparently you can use it as a rapid charger for your BlackBerry smartphone.

The explanation is quite simple, even if it uses technical terms. Your standard BlackBerry wall charger delivers a charge at 700 milliamp hours (mAh). Chances are that you, like me, have no idea what this means. That’s fine. All you need to know is how quickly your wall charger restores your BlackBerry’s battery.

The charger that comes with the PlayBook delivers a charge at 1,800 mAh, which is obviously more than double the standard level. This creates a faster charge for your BlackBerry. Typically my 700 mAh charger brings my BlackBerry from low-battery to full in about 90 minutes. The PlayBook charger? Between 40 and 45 minutes, as you’d probably expect.

RIM has posted a knowledge base article on the issue, and it reveals an important warning: your battery will run hot while rapidly charging. It claims to be within “acceptable levels,” meaning it won’t do your device damage. Just don’t place it on top of something flammable, OK?

Also, I’ve seen people complain about other rapid chargers killing batteries faster. You might notice that your charge doesn’t last as long, and eventually the battery dies. I’m not sure if this will be an issue with the PlayBook charger, but it’s certainly something to consider. If your BlackBerry smartphone has a micro USB port, then you’re compatible.

You can get the BlackBerry PlayBook charger for a mere $18 at Amazon, which is quite a deal cheaper than ShopBlackBerry.com.

Looking for an even faster charge for the PlayBook? You can get a PlayBook Rapid Charger, which charges at 2,000 mAh, for $43.83.

That one, however, will not charge your BlackBerry smartphone, as it uses the three-pronged port on the PlayBook. Hat tip: BerryReview.

About the Author

Joe Pawlikowski is the Senior Editor at MobileMoo.com and has been covering the mobile industry full time since 2007. When he's not writing about the tech scene, he can be found discussing his personal love - baseball (and more specifically the New York Yankees) as well as writing on his personal blog.